Allegheny County: Not as old as people think (Pittsburgh, Penn: estimates, parking)

[creepsinc]

So I heard today on NPR that, according to new census data, only 17% of Allegheny County residents are 65 and older. Can we stop talking about how there are no young people here?

[right-here-i-say]

What was it 10 years ago? Is it still in the top 10 oldest counties in the nation? If so, we still need to talk about how there are no young people here.

[Katiana]

Well, in the US population it is 12.4%, so Pittsburgh has close to 50% more elderly than the US in general. So yes, that is a large difference. It is also higher than Pennsylvania's elderly pop.

Pennsylvania QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

[PeterRabbit]

Nearly 59% are under age 45 according to 2000 census data.

21.9% under age 18
8.5% 18-24
28.3% 25-44
23.4% 45-64
17.8% 65+

Over 30% under age 25 and that doesn't seem too bad compared to all the complaints about Pgh. not having many young people.

[johnnytang24]

I agree, you have to compare the numbers against other places to have some sort of relevance

[Geeo]

It's not in the top ten oldest counties in the nation - there are hundreds of counties, especially in the upper midwest, that have higher percentages. It's in the top ten of counties of OVER ONE MILLION POPULATION. As the rest of the country ages, we're going to drop in rank.

[Awesomo.2000]

I read an article around the last census estimates that we were actually droping to the average age level in the US. This is because the elderly are starting to pass away. However, it effects our population.

You couples out there should start repopulating Pittsburgh.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by PeterRabbit

Nearly 59% are under age 45 according to 2000 census data.

21.9% under age 18
8.5% 18-24
28.3% 25-44
23.4% 45-64
17.8% 65+
<45: 58.7% (My addition)
Over 30% under age 25 and that doesn't seem too bad compared to all the complaints about Pgh. not having many young people.

Originally Posted by johnnytang24

I agree, you have to compare the numbers against other places to have some sort of relevance

US 2000:
<20: 28.6%
<45 65.5%

(20-24: 6.7%)
(25-34: 14.2%)
(35-44: 16.0%)

(25-44: 30.2%)
45-64 22.1%
>65: 12.4%

I couldn't find a number for under 18, just for under 20. But there seems to be a big difference in the general US population of that age group and Pittsburgh's. Interesting numbers to ponder.

[guylocke]

Well, in the US population it is 12.4%, so Pittsburgh has close to 50% more elderly than the US in general. So yes, that is a large difference. It is also higher than Pennsylvania's elderly pop.

Actually, Pittsburgh has 38% more elderly persons above the age of 65 than the US in general. I don't think that is QUITE creeping up on "close to 50%" territory yet.

More like close to 40%.

[Katiana]

You're right, I was just ball-parking it. It's still a lot more. I think my point was more that you have to compare it to something to make sense of the numbers.